Hannibal

Rating:
Summary: I wanted more
Review: This much anticipated sequel to Silence of the Lambs is somewhat disappointing and pales in comparison to its predecesor. It is slow to start and once it does get moving, it becomes somewhat predictable. This piece is interesting in its switch of roles and the methods used to possibly change the reader's original alliances, but takes the reader down an unlikely path which is too shallowly explored.

In all, Hannibal is a good read and a fair sequel to Silence of the Lambs, but if given the opportunity to speak with the author I would ask that he truly finish this story. Maybe another sequel?....

Rating:
Summary: There's gotta be a better way to spend $13.98
Review: I kept working my way through this book, bored silly, hoping that Thomas Harris would redeem himself by coming up with a finale worthy of the excellent "Silence" and "Red Dragon." So what happens? The worst ending to a book... ever! Consider this a warning: don't waste your money. Spend it on beer, instead. Even if you get sick, it's still be a better experience than "Hannibal."

Rating:
Summary: A sequel that would never live up to Silence of the Lambs
Review: Despite a rather turgid beginning, I found this story both gripping and engrossing. However, a rather ludicrous finale meant that my enjoyment was cut in half. Harris has succeeded in delving deeper into Hannibal's psyche, a point that I find truly fascinating. The inclusion of Clarice adds the edge that always lived in the first book, and I find Harris uses her character very well, almost preparing both Starling and Hannibal for their inevitable "showdown", if it can be called that. The use of breathtaking literary illustrations, sweeping between the cultural and beautiful streets of Florence, through to the horror and black humour of a man having his brain sliced and eaten, is extremely effective, and Harris wins at bring ing the reader closer into Hannibal's world. Despite the strengths of the book, the weaknesses are just as apparent. Lacklustre "villains" and pointless red herrings haunt the pages, and whilst it makes a darn good yarn, it never really ventures above that status; never gripping the reader, or, rather, never gripping me beyond "do I really want to turn the page?". I found it a long, sometimes fantastic, sometimes tedious story. Although, throughout my reading of it, I couldn't help but read it with Anthony Hopkins' voice in my mind, and I think that's a good thing, his slithering, calculating tongue dominating what could have been a dated thriller. It's not dated, although it only just scrapes past that pitfall.

Rating:
Summary: Hannibal at large-I couldn't wait for the story to unfold!
Review: This book suffers from too much hype and anticipation after a long wait. Released under different circumstances, reviews would have been kinder. I recommend it.

Harris didn't need to spend so much time setting up the story. The first 100 pages could have been edited down to about 25-30. Still, it is a good, suspenseful, horrific story. You find out a lot more about Lechter and his demons, his brilliance, and his unpredictability. Returning characters--Barney, Crawford, and Starling--are further developed, although I was disappointed with the direction Harris took with Starling.

Mason Verder, a former patient of Lechter's, is motivated by obsession and revenge. He is also very resourceful. So are the police in Italy and the FBI. Verder's sister, Margeux, puts her own plan in motion--patiently, carefully. Harris weaves the threads of lost loyalties, greed, and ambition throughout. It is cunning, sick, and at times, manic.

The last 100 pages left me stunned. There is a climactic showdown that is complex, suspenseful, and unpredictable--but that is not where it ends. Lechter's brilliance comes to fore again, and no matter what you may think or feel about the end, I don't believe anyone can say it is predictable. It is unbelievable and absurd in the strongest sense of the words. It leaves you thinking--real hard--very much a surprise. So go back and read those last 100 pages again. I did. I can tell you I missed a lot because I was entirely unreceptive first time around. Think about it. How much more brilliant, dangerous or horrific could Lechter be?

Rating:
Summary: Lighten up!
Review: My word, people are going on and on about this book as if though they had been promised salvation simply by reading it. Relax, folks, it's only a book and even though some parts of it leave a great deal to be desired, it's an enjoyable read, nevertheless. And though it lacks realism at times (Mr. Harris did go overboard describing just how brilliant, cultured and sophisticated Hannibal Lecter is), both in characterization and plot line, it still contains some genuinely fun and exciting parts. Those that are interest in literature, steer clear of this or any other Harris novel, for that matter. As much as I LOVED "Silence of the Lambs" I could hardly consider it literature. It's a very good psychological thriller, and nothing more. Those interested in literature should read "Madame Bovary", "Les Miserables" or "Don Quixote". Those that are seeking mere entertainment (albeit a little more than twisted, grotesque and vacuous, at times) should have no qualms about "Hannibal." Not nearly as good as "Silence..." but hardly as bad as some would have you believe.

Rating:
Summary: Please don't waste your money!
Review: Not recommended!!!

I cannot begin to tell you what a dissapointment this was. First, the entire book needed at least two more editings. Even had I enjoyed the plot (which was gastly in and of itself), the writing was attrocious! (As a previous critic said, you could easily begin at the back and simply remove pages at random!)

I fear that like Stephen King, Thomas Harris has also decided to forego any real attempt at writing well and to simply slap his name on trash labeled as horror (read horrible) fiction!

Alas...another author stricken from my reading list!

Rating:
Summary: Don't pick it up if you don't have time.
Review: Well I hope that Mr. Harris is writing the sequel as we speak. He leaves the door even more open than Silence of the Lambs. I made the mistake of reading parts to my husband, and now he won't touch the book. For those who have less tendency to get queasy it makes us "hungry" for more. I enjoied it, but I'm worried that poor Clarice and Hannibal will be too old for the next go around.

Rating:
Summary: Sadistic, Graphic and Pointless Gore and Violence
Review: I HATED this book. But I liked Harris' two previous books so much, I kept thinking he'd turn it around. I was so disgusted with his need to present the most horrific and graphic situations possible that the rest of the story was lost on me. In fact, so lost that I could never determine the point of it. There was not a character I could even begin to sympathize with, putting me in the position of wanting all of them dead by the end of the book. At least that way, we would know Harris wouldn't try to produce another Hannibal Lecter sequel. Does anyone else think this was merely a screenplay? And could the movie possibly tell the story (weak as it was) and include the gratuitous violence without being rejected by viewers everywhere? But without the gore, this book has no content.

Rating:
Summary: Shockingly bad
Review: I am an enormous fan of both "Red Dragon" and "Silence of the Lambs". I consider them both among the best suspense thrillers that I have ever read in popular fiction. However, this latest effort is written so poorly, it's laughable. I would elaborate but I would be wasting your time as you should have no intention of reading this mess.

In a word: abominable.

Rating:
Summary: A gripping story line, brilliantly written
Review: I was captivated by the book and had a hard time putting it down. The plot was well-written and macabre in the author's usual understated fashion. I say go buy it.